When artist Tess Elliot embarked on her digital media project "Infinite Oaks," her focus was on using augmented reality to provide a digital space for people to again find native tree species like post oaks and blackjack oaks in central Oklahoma's Cross Timbers ecological region.
But as she worked on the project last month through a virtual residency with Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, the University of Oklahoma faculty member found a new layer of timely metaphorical meaning.
"It's about managing space, how much control we exert over the spaces that we have, let's say, ownership over. I think this is something that's so important with Black Lives Matter: it's like giving up some of that control and giving some space to others to understand and feel that kind of level of equity and equality and to value just difference," Elliot said.
Additional Studio-In-Place coverage:
AR App Reintroduces Native Ecology to Oklahoma
KGOU
Studio-in-Place artists to work on projects tied to creativity, community & resilience during COVID
Oklahoma City Conventions and Visitors Bureau
Meet Tess Elliott & VR OKC
Gallery America - OETA
